Thoughts and Advice on Nitto Ridge Grapplers (265/75-R16 Load E)

I just had to replace the OEM tires on my 2016 Taco O/R TRD. I had worn them pretty slick at 68K miles. I went on a gravel road to take a pic and sliced one of the tires in the tread. Luckily I was just in town and right around the corner from a discount tire shop. I was leaving the area the next morning so I didn't have time to shop around and compare or do any research. They had these Ridge Grapplers and according to their charts they would fit my truck. I liked the look, the fit was supposedly there so I pulled the trigger and went with it. Here are my questions.
Anyone have thoughts on these tires for their Taco? I don't have any rubbing, but I did notice a little bit of wobble in some areas of the highway (I just read about that in some reviews on the Nitto site too).
Tacoma door jam says tires should be inflated to 30psi. These are load rated at 80 psi. When they originally installed them they had them at 40 psi but there was a issue with the tire pressure sensors and what I was seeing using a gauge. Regardless, what should I inflate these to? Right now they are inflated to 37psi. If I tow, should I put 80psi in? (My old Chevy HD2500 had the fronts at like 60 and the rears at 80 if I recall). Or should I use the factory recommendation of 30psi?
Nittos website says that these don't fit, they start at 17 when you put the Tacoma in there, but the tire shop showed me where their sizing chart says they do fit. I drove several hundred miles on them the next day and haven't seen any issue with fit or issues with rubbing so I'm not sure why Nitto's site doesn't offer these tires for the OEM Taco setup.
They are surprisingly quiet. Quiter than the OEM tires.
Thoughts?

 

For comparison, I have GY Wrangler DuraTrac 265/75R16 E Load and run them at 36psi. They seem to ride and handle well and not too loud.

 

Why are you running an E ?

 

Out here in many areas of South and West Texas the terrain is very rocky and thorny and sidewalls are easily punctured with a regular tire, in fact in Big Bend Ranch State they require the minimum of a C Load tire, and two spares to get permitted for the backcountry of the park. The difference in price between C and E Load is minimal, and going from a C to an E takes you from 6 to 10 ply rating, along with 3 ply rated sidewalls. Nothing worse than being stranded over 100 miles away from any kind of tire shop, as you can literally rip up the OEM SL rated tires in a couple of hours in the "monte" out there.

 

Yeah lots of sharp rocks here in the Rockies as well. But so many people have no idea about E rated tires on such a light truck. Then will complain about bad weather performance. Sounds like you know what you're getting yourself into

 

Max pressure is 80psi, but the set pressure should be 29-32 for best coverage and comfort. 40psi for towing and hauling.

 

I run my 10 plys at 43

 

I have GY Wrangler DuraTrac 265/75R16 E Load and run them at 36psi. They seem to ride and handle well

I was surprised that an “Off Road” truck would come stock with SL rated passenger tires. I know it’s a cost saving measure on the part of Toyota, but they should at least offer LT tires as an option. The E load tires are heavy for the taco, but the trade off is worth it if you do any off roading at all.

 

To be fair, they are perfectly fine for about 98% of people in Tacomas. You don't need E rated AT tires for every dirt road/off beaten path.

 

While I haven't lifted or done anything to my truck to "enhance" off road performance I did take it on several trails over in Colorado with plenty of rocks and same as Interbeing I have taken it off road several places in West Texas and New Mexico. I will also tow small campers and have loaded my Harley in the bed to take places as well. Having the work horse E-rated tire is a must in my book.

They were closing right as I was leaving and the tech said it would take a bit for the tire monitors to pick up. It did, but three tires were reading 39 and one was reading 29. I drove around and also turned the truck on and off to see if things would reset. Never did. I found a place where I could check tire pressure with an external gauge and set everything at 35 with the gauge, but the monitor system was still showing the front drivers side as being lower than the other three. The next morning when I was leaving I went back. They pulled the one tire just to see if there was a problem but didn't come up with anything. When I left they said they set it at 37psig and once they warmed up they would hit 39 - 40. He was right.

I just wanted to make sure. I was a little concerned having worked at Firestone manufacturing plant back in 2000/2001 when the Explorers were rolling over. They were blaming the tires, but the real problem is that they wanted the explorer tires to be underflated and that was causing the roll overs. I didn't want to experience a similar issue. But I also know that this is a significantly different tire than what the OEM provides.

I'll probably keep them in the mid 30's unless I'm towing and bump them up to 40 or so if I'm putting my Harley in the bed or towing.

 

You should probably address that IMO. Eventually your stock front suspension isn't going to like that extra weight.

 

I go back and forth. Most of the trails that I go on the truck has been able to handle just fine. Some were rated a 3. I've only had to turn around one time, but I was tempted to try it. Only reason I didn't was I was in Colorado up by Estes Park and this truck was the ride home for me and my wife. I didn't want to do anything that was going to strand us waiting for repairs in CO. Everybody who knows me was surprised I actually didn't go for it, LOL. I guess that's the wisdom (maybe common sense?) from getting old(er). But yeah, I may be more inticed to upgrade some suspension parts a little now.

 

I’ll be honest, I used BFG all terrains for about 14 years, and recently switched to Nittos. I’m on my second set, and likely will never go back. Nitto makes a great tire. IIRC, Nitto is a subdivision of Toyo, who also makes great tires. You made a good choice. You can keep them at 35psi, I run mine around there and no issues, even when loaded down. I also run a load C tire but never change my psi for hauling stuff, so you’re good. Load E is overkill for these trucks but if you have rocky terrain, then it makes sense to have

 

The stock configuration is very capable and will get you through alot of trails here in CO. You added an upgrade with the tires for sure. But your skinny struts aren't really tuned for the added weight it will see with the suspension cycle. Eventually you will see some tired front springs that will resort in some sag. Not to mention the extra heat the strut will build up handling the extra weight. I put heavier/bigger tires on and ran them for 3 years on stock suspension and did plenty of trails. Needless to say my stock struts and front springs were thrown in the trash (recycled) after I put the upgrade in. They were absolutely beat. Then you factor in the weight of some armor and gear etc. The stock config will really struggle to keep up.

 

So it would seem the consensus for Nitto Ridge Grapplers (C rated) would be anywhere between 30 and 35 psig?

 

Size?

 

265/75R16

 

37 psi gets you back to what the placard recommends as far as inflated load capacity; good up to GVWR.

Some run more or less for a variety of reasons.

 

265/75R/16 seems to be a really good fit for our trucks.
I have been satisfied with 35-36psi on my Ridge Grapplers. (nice tires)
I would NOT recommend going to 80psi for towing...40 should be plenty for that.

 

Thanks guys. I will try 36 psi and see how I like them.